Strait is getting smoked everytime. He is having a hard time keep up. Thats what TK looks like when he is in the lineup. Was TK a scratch today to?

Did u not watch? No attitude, just wondering since u seem to know Strait was terrible. And yes he was scratched again today. Only good decision DB has made this series. Well that and benching Despres today.

Did u not watch? No attitude, just wondering since u seem to know Strait was terrible. And yes he was scratched again today. Only good decision DB has made this series. Well that and benching Despres today.

Yes I watched. I normally do not miss a Penguin game especially in the playoffs.. I feel anytime Strait was near the puck he was getting called for something or getting burned. I have never been a fan of Strait even when he was on the Penguins. He had 4 pim and 1 shot. When I see him out there it seems like he cannot keep up with the Pens. He took a costly penalty yesterday that I think cost the Islanders the game (not complaining). Maybe im wrong but that is my 1 cent (I lost the other cent a long time ago).

I couldn't remember seeing TK out there but wasn't sure. I think DB has finally seen the light about him. As for Despres, I had some high hopes on that kid. I hope he can turn it around and be a good defensemen in the league.

I couldn't remember seeing TK out there but wasn't sure. I think DB has finally seen the light about him. As for Despres, I had some high hopes on that kid. I hope he can turn it around and be a good defensemen in the league.

Despres will be fine eventually, but he's not ready and they shouldn't be throwing him into a playoff series yet.

What is wrong with this team? They just can't keep themselves from making stupid plays. Kunitz, Eaton and Morrow (three smart, veteran players) each made plays that led directly to goals. I don't get it. I just don't get it. They need lineup changes. Get Engelland back in if Orpik can't go - I know he's been bad but he looks like Rod Langway compared to Despres. Throwing Bennett out there as a rookie is one thing - throwing a rookie defenseman out there is something else entirely. Speaking of which, scratch Bennett or Jokinen (not because they've been worse than any other Pens) and get Vitale in the lineup - we need his grit. We're supposed to be the big, bad Pens, yet they've outhit us in every game. Put together a line of Glass-Vitale-Adams. Start that line. Let them go out and crush people like the Isles have been doing. Let THEM take the retaliatory penalties for a change. INITIATE!!!

And speaking of penalties, bench anyone who takes an offensive zone penalty. I don't care who it is - Morrow, Iginla, Kunitz, Cooke, whoever. You take a bad offensive zone penalty early in the period, guess what? You're watching the game for the rest of the period. Take one late in the period? You're sitting until the 10 minute mark of the next period.

One other thing - I'm not BLAMING Fleury. BUT - he hasn't made that "signature save" that you need from an elite goalie (see: Ovechkin breakaway, Game 7, 2009). Every goalie gets hung out to dry sometimes. The elite ones makes saves in those situations. The Okposo breakaway was a good opportunity for one of those. If you're going to be an elite goalie, then sometimes you have to make saves you have no business making, especially in the third period of a close playoff game.

Despres will be fine eventually, but he's not ready and they shouldn't be throwing him into a playoff series yet.

What is wrong with this team? They just can't keep themselves from making stupid plays. Kunitz, Eaton and Morrow (three smart, veteran players) each made plays that led directly to goals. I don't get it. I just don't get it. They need lineup changes. Get Engelland back in if Orpik can't go - I know he's been bad but he looks like Rod Langway compared to Despres. Throwing Bennett out there as a rookie is one thing - throwing a rookie defenseman out there is something else entirely. Speaking of which, scratch Bennett or Jokinen (not because they've been worse than any other Pens) and get Vitale in the lineup - we need his grit. We're supposed to be the big, bad Pens, yet they've outhit us in every game. Put together a line of Glass-Vitale-Adams. Start that line. Let them go out and crush people like the Isles have been doing. Let THEM take the retaliatory penalties for a change. INITIATE!!!

And speaking of penalties, bench anyone who takes an offensive zone penalty. I don't care who it is - Morrow, Iginla, Kunitz, Cooke, whoever. You take a bad offensive zone penalty early in the period, guess what? You're watching the game for the rest of the period. Take one late in the period? You're sitting until the 10 minute mark of the next period.

One other thing - I'm not BLAMING Fleury. BUT - he hasn't made that "signature save" that you need from an elite goalie (see: Ovechkin breakaway, Game 7, 2009). Every goalie gets hung out to dry sometimes. The elite ones makes saves in those situations. The Okposo breakaway was a good opportunity for one of those. If you're going to be an elite goalie, then sometimes you have to make saves you have no business making, especially in the third period of a close playoff game.

Again, great minds think alike. So refreshing to see logical, level-headed Penguin fans!! Here's any article that made my jaw drop, because I could've written it. EXACTLY how I feel (only difference is I certainly wouldn't call Matt Niskanen "cerebral". "Useless" is a better term :

Seriously, SO many stupid plays. You've mentioned many, and there are more! Like the FOUR times Letang had half the ice and plenty of time to make a breakout pass, yet has his pass either tipped or blocked completely. Niskanen having the whole ice to work with, yet fires it right at as Isles player to puts it deep, Despres watches his man in front of the net and subsequently does nothing, leading to an easy goal for the Isles. More dumbass plays - Kunitz and Malkin never getting the puck deep. Just infuriates me. I could go into much more, but just don't really feel like typing till my fingers burn!!

And Fleury, well, you all know my thoughts on Fleury. He's let in some poor goals, but has also played very well in spurts. Still, he needs to be better.

On the plus side of this series, the team is up 2-1, and both the PP and the PK have been very good. Very happy about the PK. They need to keep it up!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabbygraphs

I couldn't remember seeing TK out there but wasn't sure. I think DB has finally seen the light about him. As for Despres, I had some high hopes on that kid. I hope he can turn it around and be a good defensemen in the league.

Agreed! It's great to see DB finally bench him. I'm not hard on Bennett like so many Pens fans are, but the kid has simply played better than TK. And as rippit said, I think Vitale should be playing instead of Bennett. And Despres has potential, but was flat out awful yesterday.

i think Fleury now leads in the Pens in playoff goals... unfortunately they're all in his own net. he's seriously frustrating to watch.

And at the WORST possible times. If we lose this game, it's on him - period. And if we do, I wonder if Disco will have the balls to do what needs to be done and go with Vokoun. Everyone always says, "Vokoun isn't going to take you to the Cup." Well guess what? Neither is Fleury.

It's like they forgot how to play good, team hockey. Actually, it's like they just flat out forgot how to play hockey. That was a very bad performance.

You could probably count on one hand the numbers of Pens that actually played well. For every great offensive play that Malkin makes he makes a boneheaded defensive play or takes a bad penalty. Neal was probably their best player, not only offensively but defensively too. Letang has also been brutal in his own zone the whole series, and Niskanen has been a disaster. Even Eaton has struggled the past couple of games.

Gotta give credit where credit is due - the Isles have DOMINATED the last 3 games and they really deserve to be up 3-1. Pens are lucky to still be in this series.

Fleury's confidence is completely shot at this point. Bylsma is crazy if he doesn't go with Vokoun next game. Fleury starts and gives up the first goal, or two, and it'll be another avalanche and the series will be over.

That being said... can't put it all on Fleury. he's not getting much help.

if the Pens get bounced out in the 1st round, again, the organization needs to take a seriously look at what's wrong.